Alasdair Sandford

The British art photographer David Hamilton has been found dead at home in Paris.

Recently several women have alleged that he raped them when they were young teenagers.

French media reported that a neighbour raised the alarm after finding the 83-year-old unresponsive in his flat.

A police source told Reuters he had committed suicide, but this has not been confirmed and the circumstances surrounding his death are not clear. Police have launched an investigation.

Hamilton, whose works had appeared in upmarket fashion magazines, was known for his images of nude or under-dressed young models which prompted some controversy and allegations of child pornography.

His books sold millions of copies in the 1970s and 1980s, and his images appeared on many posters and postcards.

French broadcaster Flavie Flament has made allegations that Hamilton had raped her when she modeled for him as a 13-year-old in 1987. He denied it.

Three other women have made similar accusations.

Flament published a book called “The Consolation” last month in which she alleged sexual assault without naming Hamilton, but the cover photo was an image taken by the Briton. She confirmed that he was the alleged attacker in an interview a few days ago.